[C320-list] Docking Tool

[Charles Martin]

I would suggest that you back into your slip from outside of the
fairway--it is a bit funny looking, but can be very controllable.  You may
want to practice going into a slip with few other boats around if you
haven't backed your boat much--or at least practice backing outside of the
fairway to get a feel for controlling the boat in reverse.  Have a pole
ready,  your lines ready, and any fenders you might need before you begin.
Note the direction of the wind to be able to secure to the upwind poles
first.  I do this whenever I am singlehanding; and if you have tight
sidelines rigged on the  pilings on each side of your slip, it can be very
manageable and safe (unless the winds are extremely strong--so watch
the weather).  Your wife can watch the whole process with a daiquiri in
hand.

Best,
Chip Martin
S/V Bonaventure, Sail #767
(410) 231-0199
chiprmartin at gmail.com


On Sun, Apr 25, 2021 at 7:30 AM Jeff Smith <svsailmates512 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Tom,
>
> I am not an orthopedist but I can’t imagine they will think it is a good
> idea to have your wife on the bow with her arm in a sling. My wife is what
> I like to call “vertically” and “athletically” challenged. We pull stern in
> to our slip. She drives us out of the slip and out of the marina, which
> works well because I am going to raise the main anyway. Coming in, she uses
> a boat hook to grab the windward bow line if possible. I have a dock line
> attached to the stern port cleat (our finger pier is on the port side) that
> I run outside of the lifelines. Once we are close to the finger pier, my
> wife grabs a bow line and I step off with a line on the stern in my hand,
> making sure I am in neutral first.
>
> I am sure there will be people who say this is unsafe, so caveat emptor.
> Once I am on the dock with a line on the boat, though, I can keep it in the
> slip if the tides and wind are extremely strong. I use this when I am
> single handed.
>
> You might also watch this video. It is similar to the docking stick though
> you would do all of the work using a continuous line with a loop attached
> to the boat at your pivot point. I have also used this procedure when
> single-handed. It has the added bonus that you do not leave the boat
> without a line on a cleat on the dock.
>
> Good luck to you and your wife. I had shoulder surgery 11 years ago and it
> still bothers me to sleep on that side.
>
> Jeff
> S/V Sailmates, #121, 1994
>
> > On Apr 24, 2021, at 5:50 PM, Tom Grass <tgrass462 at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > My wife is going to have rotator cuff surgery next month.  I'm looking at
> > products that might help US to come into a dock under more control.
> > Usually I am at the helm and she is on the bow.  Here is a product I saw
> on
> > facebook (youtube video:  https://youtu.be/zi936rcrZCY) that could
> possibly
> > assist us.  The initial thought is that my wife would use the pole to
> > capture the cleat and I would then pull the line tight from the helm.
> >
> > Have any of you had a similar problem?  What are your opinions of this
> > product (on the youtube video? )   Any ideas of what else might help
> during
> > her recovery.  Thanks in advance.
> >
> > Tom & Tracy Grass
> > S/V Bucket List
> > 2008 Catalina 320 MK II
> > # 1135
>
>